Repeat spin button device for a gaming machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention is designed to trigger activation of a gaming machine repeatedly without requiring a player to press and release a play button one time per play of the machine. A PCB incorporated between a conventional machine switch and a microprocessor causes a machine to immediately play a new game upon the machine&#39;s re-set. Preferably, the PCB causes an electrical switch to open and close at a predefined rate (e.g. one second) as long as the button is pressed. In another embodiment, a cable connected to, and extending from, said machine includes a button for a player to activate said repeat play. The cable houses wires connecting the cable button to the PCB. The cable button provides a player with an option of activating said machine from a more comfortable location (e.g. the player&#39;s lap area). The present invention also allows a player to play conventionally.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to providing a means fora gaming machine player to play a selected gaming machine at asubstantially faster pace while requiring less repetitive motion. Moreparticularly, a gaming machine is designed or retrofitted with aninternal device that causes multiple game plays in response to a gamingmachine button being constantly pressed rather than requiring a playerto press and release the gaming button one time per play. The presentinvention eliminates the need to release the button—such that the buttonmay be pressed once for one play or held pressed indefinitely forrepeated play—in order to increase the number of games played in a giventime interval. In a second embodiment, the internal device is linked toa cable extending from said gaming machine such that a button on the endof said cable activates the game. In a third embodiment, the internaldevice is linked to a cable extending from said machine such thatportions of the entire button deck may be extendable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] The popularity of electronic gaming machines has exploded duringthe past decade. In fact, electronic gaming machines now account for amajority of casino revenue, as well as, gaming equipment manufacturers'recurring revenue. With such a popularity boom, the casino industrycontinually seeks methods for further increasing the actual playing timeof electronic gaming machines. Both video poker machines and slotmachines are routinely being improved in one way or another to attractmore players. In particular, slot machines have been recently combinedwith video graphics and/or bonus games designed to maximize playerinterest.

[0003] Besides attracting players to electronic gaming machines, casinosfurther seek to encourage sustained and rapid play of its machines.After all, the longer and faster a player plays a particular gamingmachine, the more money in theory a casino is going to earn or win. Toreduce the non-gaming time associated with particular gaming machines,manufacturers have outfitted many machines with a “Bet Max Coins” buttonthat allows players to quickly and efficiently play the maximum numberof coins available and activate the machine by pressing a single panelbutton. Prior to the implementation of the Bet Max Coins button playerswere required to press a “Bet One Coin” button successive times to wagermultiple coins and then required to press a Spin button or pull an armto activate the machine. Further, even the most novice playersunderstand that the highest single jackpot is only available on Max Coinplay and that most progressive jackpots are tied to Max Coin play.

[0004] Although for each play of the machine the time interval saved bythe Bet Max Coins button versus the Bet One Coin and Spin buttoncombination may be trivial, the overall time is quite significant. Forexample, should a player remain at a machine for one hour, play maximumcoins (e.g. three coins) by using the Bet One Coin and Spin buttons, andgenerate an average of ten plays per minute, the player will generate600 total plays of the machine during the one hour of play. However, ifduring each play the player could have saved one second by simplypressing the Bet Max Coins button, the player has, by not using the BetMax Coins button, wasted 600 seconds or ten minutes of time over the onehour of play. Based on the one second savings per play, the player isnow able to generate 12 plays per minute or 720 (12 plays per minute×60minutes) plays per hour which is a total of 120 additional plays duringthe one hour. At a one dollar machine with a payout percentage of 96%the casino has in theory lost $14.40 (0.04×120 spins×$3.00 per spin)over the one hour of play. It is easy to see that a small delay inactivating the machine between plays results in large lost revenue tocasinos having hundreds or thousands of gaming machines.

[0005] Although the implementation of the Bet Max Coins button hasincreased the number of plays per hour, there is also a drawback withthe Bet Max Coins button in practice. The button, once pressed, isintentionally programed (masked) to be inoperable until the reels stopspinning and any winnings are paid. In practice, the Bet Max Coinsbutton illuminates after each play of the machine to signify the machineis ready for play. In reality, players do not always press the Bet MaxCoins button upon illumination. Players may be surveying the casinofloor, talking with an adjacent gaming machine player or an observingfriend, or may be preoccupied in countless other ways. The common resultis that the gaming machine is not being played to its optimum potential.

[0006] Certain attempts have been made to increase the playing timeassociated with gaming machines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,721 toRandell et al., describes an apparatus for detecting the illumination ofa player-operated machine button. The Randell disclosure seeks toincrease actual gaming machine play time by automatically causing agaming machine button to be pressed when ready as evidenced by anilluminated button. The apparatus is external and partially encompassesa gaming machine button such that upon illumination a cam mechanismautomatically presses the gaming machine button. Unfortunately, theRandell invention prevents conventional play, involves moving partswhich tend to fail and is slow to react to the illumination. The Randellpatent appears to have value only as a slot machine testing devicerather than as a customer played game.

[0007] The present invention guarantees optimum electronic gamingmachine play during any given time interval by automatically causingsaid machine to play immediately when ready. A panel button that iscontinuously pressed by a player causes a gaming machine switch totrigger activation of said game repeatedly until said button isreleased. The identical panel button may also be used to play the gamingmachine in the conventional manner (i.e. press, release, press, release,etc.). In a preferred embodiment, a button integrated on an end of acable release provides a convenient and comfortable means for practicingthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a means forincreasing the number of plays of a gaming machine per given timeinterval.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means forcomplying with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) by implementinga simple, parallel-connected, extendable Max Coins switch for personsunable to reach a gaming machine button deck or for those persons forwhich reaching the button deck is difficult especially in a repetitivemanner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means fora gaming machine player to maximize the number of games played during agiven time interval by continuously pressing a gaming machine button.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide analternate means for a gaming machine player to maximize the number ofgames played during a given time interval by continuously pressing abutton integrated on a gaming machine cable extension.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide analternative means for a gaming machine player to maximize the number ofgames played during a given time interval by continuously pressing abutton integrated on a gaming machine cable extension while leavingunchanged the standard button configuration.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is a seamless integrationof a repeating switch which can be fabricated in a new gaming machine orretrofitted in an existing machine.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to minimize therepetitive motion experienced by a gaming machine player therebyincreasing the likelihood of longer play.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to avoidregulatory gaming issues by implementing the present invention as asecondary device not affecting the outcome of the particular gamingmachine thereby eliminating the need for a long approval processconducted by gaming authorities.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Although any electronic gaming machines including video pokermachines and slot machines, will benefit from the present invention,slot machines are the preferred gaming machine and are discussedexclusively throughout. Traditional slot machines, whether havingmechanical reels or video depicted reels, include a button panel systemhaving a button panel assembly. A button panel supporting a plurality ofbutton assemblies is mounted below a slot machine display. Forillustrative purposes U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,394 to Wurz et al., describesa button panel assembly for gaming machines as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2thereof. To play the slot machine, a player inputs a wager and thencauses the slot reels to spin by means of panel buttons or a slotmachine arm. Note that Wurz et al., attempts to demonstrate a“self-contained, universal, button panel” rather than one that isextendible.

[0017] The button assemblies on the button panel are electronicallyconnected to a gaming unit, namely a microprocessor, inside of the slotmachine by wires. A player may press various panel button assembliescausing the gaming unit to perform certain labeled functions, such ascash out, select pay lines, enter a wager and spin the reels. Eachbutton assembly typically includes a variety of elements, such as abutton, an actuator, a switch, and a light source. The actuator, switchand light source are generally positioned beneath the button. Theactuator is coupled to the button and disposed to actuate the switch inresponse to pressing the button. The light source is positioned toilluminate the button.

[0018] A majority of slot machines include at least buttons labeled “BetOne Coin”, “Bet Max Coins” and “Spin.” There are two common methods ofslot machine play. In a first method, a player presses the Bet One Coinbutton a number of times equal to a desired wager. Therefore, should theplayer desire to wager two coins the player presses the Bet One Coinbutton two times. Thereafter, the player presses the Spin button causingthe slot machine reels to activate. If desired, the player may play twocoins on a second play by a player simply pressing the Spin button whichautomatically plays the previous number of coins wagered. Alternatively,the player may reduce or increase the number of coins played eachsuccessive play by pressing the Bet One Coin button the proper number oftimes and thereafter pressing the Spin button. In a second method, theBet Max Coins button permits the player to wager the maximum number ofcoins by simply pressing the button one time. Once the Bet Max Coinsbutton is pressed, the gaming machine automatically activates the reelswithout the need for the player to press the Spin button. Players almostexclusively play the maximum number of coins to receive betterpercentage pay outs and to participate in progressive jackpots. In fact,slot machine pay tables are designed to make play based on less thanmaximum coins statistically undesirable to the player.

[0019] A significant drawback to the Bet Max Coins, Bet One Coin andSpin buttons is that once pressed they are inoperable until the reelsstop spinning, the player is paid in coins or credited a winning amountand the button is, once again, illuminated by the light sourceindicating the machine is re-set. Once illuminated, the player may thenpress said button to begin the next play. A quick trek through anycasino reveals slot machine players repeatedly pressing and releasingthe Bet Max Coins. In most instances, players rest their hand on thebutton panel assembly adjacent to the Bet Max Coins button inanticipation of the next game play. The method described not onlyconsumes valuable gaming time but can also fatigue a player's arm and/orhands due to the unorthodox position of the arm and repetitive motion ofthe hand. For instance, gaming time is consumed if a player is surveyingthe casino floor or otherwise preoccupied and fails to press the desiredavailable button in an immediate fashion upon illumination. Althougheach individual lost time interval may be small, the summation of losttime becomes significant to operators of gaming machines (see exampleabove). With the present invention, the machine is played at an optimallevel as long as an appropriately labeled “repeat” or “rapid play”button is pressed constantly.

[0020] To avoid potential customer complaints, the repeat spin buttonmust stop as instantaneously as the non-repeating switch when the buttonis released. In this manner, customer complaints that they did mean tocontinue pressing the button are eliminated. It is noted that the largerthe machine pay out, the more time required to reactivate the Max Coinsbutton. Therefore, at most a customer may realize the loss of one MaxCoins wager. Further, machine pay outs take a measurable amount of timeso customers will have ample time to stop pressing the repeat button.

[0021] Although not a regulatory requirement, as described above a goodembedded Real Time Operating System (RTOS) programmer will bitmask allbutton inputs to be inactive during the spin cycle of the machine. Theinactivity forces a machine into a determinate state and reduces thetesting of anomalous performance. Machine cheats randomly slap buttonson newly released machines searching for vulnerabilities.

[0022] To eliminate the inherent lost gaming time associated withtraditional slot machines, the present invention encourages continuousoptimum slot machine play by simply pressing the repeat button in acontinuous fashion. The present invention further removes the need for aplayer to press, release, press, release, and so on, the Bet One Coin,Bet Max Coins and/or Spin buttons. The repeat button may be anindependently labeled button or it may replace the Bet Max Coins buttondepending on the manufacturer and whether it is a new machine orretrofitted on an existing machine.

[0023] A slot machine is triggered internally by completing anelectrical connection by use of a switch. In a traditional slot machine,pressing the Bet Max Coins or Spin button causes a switch arm or contactto complete one or more electrical connections thereby sending signalsto a gaming machine processor that instructs said reels to spin andbutton lamps to turn off until the reels have stopped spinning and theplayer has been paid. Activation arms (i.e “one arm bandits”) alsoprovide means for activating the game. Current gaming machines areinoperable during the Spin cycle and the payment cycle. Once the paymentcycle is complete the gaming machine is re-set and the button lampsilluminate indicating that said machine is again operable. Whenincorporated in a slot machine, a printed circuit board (“PCB”) of thepresent invention bridges between switch outputs and the microprocessorinputs. By pressing the repeat button constantly, the PCB is activatedand causes an internal switch to open and close at a pre-defined rate.Therefore, once the game is re-set and operable, the next closing of theswitch activates the machine. In this manner, the signal to spin thereels is received by the processor in a nearly optimum fashion, withouthuman delay, and continues in this manner until the player releases therepeat button. The present invention also provides machine play in atraditional method by pressing and then immediately releasing the repeatbutton-in effect disarming the repeat mode.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the repeatbutton is activated by a button on a cable, similar to a rugged cameracable release, extending from the slot machine. The cable extending fromthe slot machine is connected to the PCB and allows the player toefficiently and comfortably activate the slot machine from multiplelocations (e.g. near the player's lap area).

[0025] A slot machine switch typically has four connections includinglamp power, lamp ground, switch common and switch normally open.Conventionally, pressing a button on a slot machine panel causes anactuator to press a switch arm or lever thus completing one or moreelectrical connections with the internal components, namely amicroprocessor, of the slot machine. The completed connection is ineffect a signal to the microprocessor to activate the game. Once thebutton is pressed, the button panel becomes inoperable until the gameends, the player is paid and the game resets. A PCB of the presentinvention is integrated or bridged between the slot machine switchcorresponding to a gaming machine button labeled repeat button or thelike, and the microprocessor. By applying constant pressure to therepeat button, the arm or lever of said slot machine switch completesthe one or more electrical connections with the microprocessor. As longas the repeat button is pressed, the PCB continuously causes a switch toopen and close thereby completing the one or more electrical connectionswith the microprocessor. Therefore, as soon as the gaming machine isreset from the previous play, one of the PCB caused switch closuresactivates a new gaming machine play. As long as the repeat button ispressed, the switch continues to move from an opened to a closedposition at a pre-defined rate (e.g. one half second), insuring that anactivation signal is almost immediately sent to the processor upon thegaming machine's re-set. Any delay is limited to the amount of timebetween the final switch closure prior to the gaming machine's re-set.In a second embodiment, the PCB caused switch open and closure rateincreases as the repeat button is constantly pressed for apre-established period of time resulting in even more rapid and optimalplay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a front view of a traditional slot machine;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a front view of a traditional slot machine with a hingeddoor open to reveal the internal arrangement of the slot machine;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a view of a button assembly as seen from within a gamingmachine;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a button assembly having the presentinvention implemented on a cable extension (the button assembly of FIG.3 is shown in dotted lines for clarity);

[0030]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a first PCB of the present inventionincorporated in a gaming machine; and

[0031]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second PCB of the present inventionincorporated in a gaming machine

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts arereferred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates atraditional slot machine having a coin acceptor 7, cabinet 8, coinnumber display 10, insert coin display 11, a hinged door 12, reels 14including gaming indicia 15, an activation arm 16, a button panel 18 andbutton assemblies 20 supported by said button panel 18. FIG. 2illustrates the conventional slot machine with the hinged door 12 openthereby revealing the internal components including electrical wires 22leading eventually to a slot machine microprocessor (not shown).

[0033]FIG. 3 shows an underneath view of a button assembly having abutton lens 24, actuator 25, including a bezel 27, and switch 28 withmultiple contacts 22. Typical contacts include lamp power, lamp ground,switch common and switch normally open. Conventionally, pressing thebutton lens 24 causes the bezel 27 to press the actuator 25 whichactivates the switch 28 thereby connecting a voltage relay with a relayleading to the microprocessor of the gaming machine causing saidmicroprocessor to instruct the reels 14 to spin. Pressing the buttonlens 24 also causes a light source (not shown) to turn off until thegaming machine is re-set from the previous play. Pressing the buttonlens 24 prior to illumination has no effect requiring a player to pressthe button lens 24 again once said light source is illuminated.Alternative button assemblies are available on the market. The buttonassembly shown is for illustrative purposes only. Button assemblies areknown in the art and their configuration does not affect the scope ofthe present invention.

[0034] The present invention is incorporated in four differentembodiments. In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a traditional slotmachine button (e.g. Bet Max Coins) is extended by means of a cable 30with a slot machine activation button 31 at a first user end thereof. Asecond end of said cable 30 is connected to said gaming machine andfurther includes means, preferably one or more wires 29, for connectingsaid activation button 31 to a second switch 26 in series with switch 28of the conventional Bet Max Coins button connection. In thisarrangement, a gaming machine player may simply press activation button31 to cause the second switch 26 to close thereby activating the gamingmachine in the identical manner as the conventional Bet Max Coinsbutton. The first embodiment is not limited to the Bet Max Coins buttonand can be used to extend any operational panel button of a gamingmachine, including a video poker machine.

[0035] In a second embodiment, the cable 30 is connected to a PCB 32,that is connected to a second switch 33 in parallel with switch 28 andits two relays. By being integrated between the activation button 31 andthe switch 33, the PCB 32 causes the switch 33 to toggle between openedand closed at a predefined rate (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or more times per second)in response to the constant pressing of activation button 31.Alternatively, the closure of the switch 33 can be automaticallytriggered in response to restoration of the voltage across the lightsource once a gaming machine play is complete. The closure rate ofswitch 33 should not be too frequent since the microprocessor of thegaming machine uses distinct voltage changes to activate each play ofthe gaming machine. If the frequency of closure is too great, thevoltage change may not be as distinct as required by the microprocessorcausing no activation of the gaming machine.

[0036] Moreover, high closure rates may cause time latency concerns.There must be no time latency involved so that by releasing theactivation button 31 even microseconds prior to the next switch 33closure repeat play is terminated. Therefore, since the gaming machinerequires a specific amount of time to re-set or award a win, a one-halfsecond rate is preferable as a sufficient amount of time for a player tostop the repeat play without concern over multiple unwanted plays afterthe activation button 31 has been released.

[0037] Preferably, the PCB 32 shares the lamp power and lamp groundconnections from the light source for power. Since the light source isnot always illuminated (e.g. while the reels are spinning), the presentinvention includes one or more capacitors for storing power. The powerrequired is modest and virtually any input light source voltage isacceptable.

[0038] By causing said switch 33 to close continuously, a next gamingmachine play is activated in a near optimum amount of time. In otherwords, once the gaming machine is re-set from the previous play, thenext closure of switch 33 causes the gaming machine to activate again.This method overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings of the traditionalpanel buttons.

[0039] In another variation, the closure rate of switch 33 increasesduring repeat play. Therefore, the closure rate may be set at one timeper second, but automatically adjusts to two times per second as theplayer continues to press the activation button 31. In other words, aslong as the player shows a willingness to play in a repeat fashion, thepresent invention automatically adjusts to increase the closure rate ofswitch 33. Again, the frequency should not be too great so as to avoidthe activation and time latency concerns.

[0040] Cable 30 is flexible, but durable, and may be fabricated ofrubber, corrugated metal or any material with the aforementionedproperties. The objective of the cable 30 is to allow players toactivate a gaming machine, whether in a traditional manner or repeatplay manner, from a more comfortable position (e.g. adjacent a player'slap area). In addition, handicapped individuals, particularlyindividuals wheelchair bound, have a difficult time reaching thetraditional gaming machine panel. Further, having to strain to reach thepanel 8-10 times per minute becomes fatiguing, even for non-handicappedplayers. The cable 30 is one more opportunity for gaming machineoperators to become ADA compliant.

[0041] Normally the cable 30 simply dangles from a gaming machine or isremovably secured to the gaming machine for player use. However, othernon-obtrusive means of connecting the cable 30 to the gaming machine areavailable. For example, the cable 30 may be integrated, in a hiddenfashion, in a player's chair and extended under a rug, chair mat orfloor to the gaming machine. Although it is preferable that the cable 30connects to the gaming machine near the internal switches thereof, theconnection point between the cable 30 and gaming machine is arbitraryand internal wires can be long enough to reach the internal switches.

[0042] In a third embodiment of the present invention, a panel button isused to activate the rapid play. The PCB 32 is now integrated in seriesbetween the gaming machine button and the switch 28 such that bycontinuously pressing the designated panel button the PCB 32 causes therepetitive closure of switch 26 as described above with switch 33. Thepanel button is preferably labeled “Repeat Play”, “Rapid Play” or thelike. However, the traditional Bet Max Coins button can also serve thesame purpose.

[0043] A fourth embodiment includes both the rapid play cable 30 andrapid play panel button. A majority of people are not susceptible tochange and may rather play the panel button rather than the cable 30.However, new players may not have developed preferences and mayimmediately take to the cable implementation. Therefore, in the fourthembodiment, a player may select either method depending on the player'spreference

[0044] It should be understood that either the panel implemented repeatplay button or cable 30 rapid play activation button 31 may be utilizedto play the gaming machine in a conventional fashion (e.g. press,release, press, release, etc.) as long as the player immediatelyreleases the activation means in a conventional fashion.

[0045]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram describing a first embodiment of thePCB 32 in series with the existing gaming machine switch 28. The PCB 32is connected to the lamp power relays 52 for drawing power from theavailable lamp power. Since lamp voltages conventionally range from6.3VAC to 24VAC, a voltage converter means 53 is integrated within saidPCB 32. The converter means 53 converts the PCB 32 input voltage to3.11VDC for powering the PCB 32. As disclosed previously, a capacitor 54stores excess voltage for use when the lamp voltage is not available.Also incorporated within said PCB 32 is a timer 55 for setting theclosure rate of the internal machine switch 26. In the FIG. 5arrangement, the internal machine switch 26 is closed by actuation of adeck switch 28 or external cable switch 31. Constant closure of eitherthe deck switch 28 or the cable switch 31 causes the internal machineswitch 26 to toggle between opened and closed at a rate set by the timer55.

[0046]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram describing a second embodiment of thePCB 32 with switch 33 in parallel with the existing gaming machineswitch 28. The PCB 32 includes a converter means 53, a capacitor 54 anda timer 55 all functioning as described above. The second switch 33, inparallel to the internal gaming switch 28, is closed in response to theclosure of the cable switch 31 and toggles between open and closed aslong as the cable switch 31 is closed. The cable switch 30 may also beused to play the gaming machine in the traditional fashion by pressingand immediately releasing the cable button 31.

[0047] It should further be understood that the cable 30 used toactivate a gaming machine can just as easily be used to operate a gamingmachine. For example, one Or more similar cables can be used to instructa gaming machine to discard and hold selected cards dealt by a videodraw poker gaming machine.

[0048] Although a cable 30 has been discussed herein for extendinggaming machine's panel buttons, it is also contemplated that theinternal gaming machines switches can be triggered by a wireless unitsecured to the gaming machine or player chair. Alternatively, thewireless units may be checked-out from casino personnel. In the samemanner as disclosed herein, a player pressing a button on a wirelessunit causes a signal to be sent to receiver in operational communicationwith an internal gaming machine switch thereby moving the switch to aclosed position activating the game. Moreover, by constantly pressingthe button on the wireless unit the internal gaming switch repeatedlytoggles between opened and closed positions such that gaming machine isplayed in an optimum fashion.

[0049] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations andmodifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention asdescribed and defined in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A gaming machine device including: a flexible cable having afirst end and second end, said first end including means for activatingsaid gaming machine, said second end connected to said gaming machine,said second end having means continuing therefrom for connecting saidactivation means to an internal activation switch of the gaming machine.2. The gaming machine device according to claim 1 wherein said flexiblecable is integrated into a gaming machine chair whereby said activationmeans is accessible to a gaming machine player, said cable routed in asubstantially concealed fashion to said connection with said gamingmachine.
 3. The gaming machine device according to claim 1 wherein saidmeans for activating said gaming machine is a button capable of beingdepressed.
 4. The gaming machine device according to claim 1 whereinsaid gaming machine is a slot machine.
 5. The gaming machine deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said means continuing therefrom foroperatively connecting said activation means to an internal activationswitch of the gaming machine is a pair of wires.
 6. The gaming machinedevice according to claim 5 wherein the pair of wires are each connectedto different relays of the internal activation switch of the gamingmachine, said relays being joined, at the connection points, by a secondswitch in parallel to said internal activation switch of the gamingmachine.
 7. The gaming machine device according to claim 1 wherein ameans for causing said gaming machine to activate in a near optimumfashion is connected in series between the means for activating saidgaming machine and an internal activation switch of the gaming machine.8. The gaming machine device according to claim 7 wherein said means foractivating said gaming machine is a button capable of being depressed.9. The gaming machine device according to claim 7 wherein said meanscontinuing therefrom connecting said activation means to an internalactivation switch of the gaming machine is a pair of wires.
 10. Thegaming machine device according to claim 9 wherein the pair of wires areeach connected to different relays of the internal activation switch ofthe gaming machine, said relays being joined, at the connection points,by a second switch in parallel to said internal activation switch of thegaming machine.
 11. The gaming machine device according to claim 10wherein the means for causing said gaming machine to activate in a nearoptimum fashion causes said second switch to move between opened andclosed at a pre-established rate as long as the means for activatingsaid gaming machine is constantly triggered.
 12. The gaming machinedevice according to claim 10 wherein the means for causing said gamingmachine to activate in a near optimum fashion causes said second switchto move to a closed position in response to a voltage across a gamingmachine light source.
 13. The gaming machine device according to claim11 wherein the pre-established rate is approximately two times persecond.
 14. The gaming machine device according to claim 11 wherein thepre-established rate automatically increases in a low order exponentialfashion as the means for activating said gaming machine is constantlytriggered.
 15. A method of activating a gaming machine in a near optimumfashion including: providing means for opening and closing an internalgaming machine activation switch at a pre-established rate in responseto a gaming machine activation means being constantly triggered.
 16. Thegaming machine device according to claim 15 wherein said gaming machineis a slot machine.
 17. The method of activating a gaming machine in anear optimum fashion according to claim 15 wherein said gaming machineactivation means is a button capable of being depressed.
 18. The methodof activating a gaming machine in a near optimum fashion according toclaim 15 wherein said gaming machine activation means is integratedwithin a wireless unit integrated within a gaming machine chair.
 19. Themethod of activating a gaming machine in a near optimum fashionaccording to claim 18 wherein said gaming machine activation means isintegrated within a wireless handheld unit.
 20. The method of activatinga gaming machine in a near optimum fashion according to claim 19 whereinsaid wireless handheld unit is provided by a gaming machine operator.21. The method of activating a gaming machine in a near optimum fashionaccording to claim 15 wherein the pre-established rate i s approximatelytwo times per second.
 22. The method of activating a gaming machine in anear optimum fashion according to claim 15 wherein the pre-establishedrate automatically increases in a low order exponential fashion as themeans for activating said gaming machine is constantly triggered.
 23. Agaming machine device including: a flexible cable having a first end andsecond end, said first end including means for operating said gamingmachine, said second end connected to said gaming machine, said secondend having means continuing therefrom for connecting said operationmeans to internal components of the gaming machine.
 24. The gamingmachine device according to claim 23 wherein said means for operatingsaid gaming machine include a plurality of five card selection buttonoperations corresponding to video poker machines.
 25. The gaming machinedevice according to claim 24 wherein the operations are Hold 1 throughHold 5 and Bet Max Coins operations.
 26. The gaming machine deviceaccording to claim 23 wherein said flexible cable is integrated into agaming machine chair whereby said operation means is accessible to agaming machine player, said cable routed in a concealed fashion to saidconnection with said gaming machine.